Trailer Boats articles from April 2006

Trailer Boats archives from April 2006

Death and taxes.(On Plane)
April 1, 2006... Just as death and taxes are inevitable, so, too, is this month's April 15 tax deadline. Oh sure, you can file for an extension--but all you're doing is stalling... Eventually, the Internal Revenue Service takes its bite. [ILLUSTRATION...

Advance to the rear?(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... Your "Big Boat Bonanza" blurb on the October 2005 cover got me thinking. By way of background, I am a 59-year-old who can afford any of the boats you generally cover. I grew up on Flathead Lake in Montana. As a kid, I enjoyed a 16-foot LeeCraft...

'Sea of sameness'.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... I really enjoyed your "Sea of Sameness" editorial in February. I wrote a similar piece for the Recreational Boat Building Industry's website (rbbi.com) back in 1998 titled "Product Innovation: The Key to Growth in the Boating Industry." Thanks...

Boater courtesy.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... I was reading [the December 2005] Boating Basics column by Dan Armitage on boat handling. It made me think that an article about boating courtesy might also be appropriate. I have seen boaters who really need some education on this subject....

Likes skirts.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... Your article on boat covers [Boating Basics, August 2005] was good, but the writer did not go far enough in addressing questions about protective coverings. Boat covers only protect a boat from the rub rail up, but the portion from the rub rail...

Funeral for a friend.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... Thanks for a great magazine. I read it from cover to cover. Up here in North Dakota, I run a Merc 125 two-stroke on a 17-foot Lund Fisherman equipped with an 8-horse Yamaha kicker. In the January issue's "Funeral for a Friend" editorial, you...

Shock-absorbing hitches.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... I have a 23-foot Chaparral SSi that I tow with a 2001 Lincoln Navigator. I am trying to eliminate the jarring that occurs from the trailer brake actuator during stops and starts. Will a shock-absorbing hitch, like the Schuck Hitch, help? My...

Flush-deck cuddies.(Letters to the Editors)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... I was hoping that you might be able to help me by identifying any models that are/have been on the market over the past five years or so that offer both a center console as well as a cuddy cabin (no matter how small). I'm looking for something...

In the dark.(TRAILER MAINTENANCE MADE EASY)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... Have you done an article on troubleshooting the electrical system on boat trailers? My trailer lights aren't working, and I wonder if there are any guides to walk me through things to check (after checking the light bulbs, of course) to...

Sooner is better.(TRAILER MAINTENANCE MADE EASY)(Letter to the editor)
April 1, 2006... In your answer to Mr. Mumma's ("Greasy Concern") question in February's Tow Car department, you advise servicing a boat trailer at the start of a season. This is excellent advice, but with one exception: Wheel bearings should be serviced at the...

New manufacturing process on tap.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... Bucyrus, Ohio-based Baja Marine recently announced that it is among the first boatbuilders in the country to begin using closed molding in the manufacture of larger boat parts, including hulls up to 40 feet in length. The company joins sister...

New props to boost speed and fuel efficiency.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... Mercury Marine has introduced a propeller line designed to improve both acceleration and top-end performance on many outboard- and sterndrive-powered boats. Called Enertia, this new prop is cast from Mercury's patent-pending X7 alloy....

Winner of life jacket competition named.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... Shortly before Trailer Boats went to press, Adam Malcolm, a graduate student in the University of Virginia's Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Program, was named the winner of the first Innovations in Life Jacket Design Competition sponsored...

Fine 'tooning: Premier's 231 Alante is fashionably sporty.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... Say this three times fast: Premier Marine is plenty popular primarily for pontoons. If you think that's a mouthful, it shouldn't be, because this Minnesota-based manufacturer provides a plethora of pontoons to choose from--ranging from luxury...

Overwides only: Formula's 27-foot joy ride.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... Known primarily for offshore high-performance boats, including some legendary racing models, Formula also builds a line of cruisers--such as the 27 Performance Cruiser we tested near Fort Myers, Florida. Although this is the smallest cruiser in...

Something's fishy: Lund 1900 Pro V SE Rapala stays on track.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... Two words synonymous with fishing north of the Mason-Dixon Line are Rapala and Lund, so it should be no surprise to see them together on a serious fishing boat. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Lund's Integrated Power Strake II hull offers...

Wake tools: CWB's Torq binding offers new hinge technology.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... If you thought that bindings for wakeboards couldn't get any better, think again. CWB (800/234-7547; idecwb.com) of Lynnwood, Washington, ups the ante in 2006 by unveiling its Torq binding. [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] In the past few years,...

Getting personal: Jet Ski STX-15F redefines three-seater performance.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... Conceived and tested on the racecourse, Kawasaki's original two-stroke STX-R claimed numerous world and national championships, but has been retired for 2006. Stepping into the racing limelight is the STX-15F, which took second place in the...

In tow: high-tech tire monitor keeps you pumped.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... If you drive a car, truck, SUV or RV, and if you tow with any of these rigs, it's a good idea to make sure your tires are in good shape and inflated to the correct pressure at all times. Low tire pressure can not only lead to accidents...

Launch ramp: Glastron 205 Collector's Edition.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... What better way to celebrate your golden anniversary than by turning out a hot, new boat? That's just what Glastron has done in recognition of its 50 years in the boatbuilding business. The GXL 205 Collector's Edition was not made to gather...

Skipper's challenge.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... You're towing your brother on a wakeboard and suddenly he goes "fakey." What should you do? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] a) Rush him to the nearest psychiatric facility. b) Report the incident to the marine authorities. c) Applaud...

Just cruisin': you can have it all with Four Winns' New 203.(Dock Talk)
April 1, 2006... Four Winns marks its 30th anniversary this year, and its new 203 Fish 'n Ski is a perfect reason to celebrate. Whether your passions lean toward waterplay or are more specific in focus (fishing, perhaps?), Four Winns has you covered with a 19...

The spin on blades.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
April 1, 2006... In February, we asked readers if they've ever run a four-blade prop on their boats. For some, like Interceptor, the answer was simple: "My reply is no," he writes. In fact, the majority by far (39 percent) say that they're squarely in the...

Question of the month.(READER SURVEY RESULTS)
April 1, 2006... How often do you thoroughly inspect and service your trailer? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] * Two or more times per year * Annually * Every few years * Only when problems occur To register your answer, go to Trailer...

Marking the king.(Boat Improvement)
April 1, 2006... Without looking, can you tell when you have your boat's steering wheel pointing straight ahead? Unless you have marked the king spoke, you probably can't. The king spoke is the spoke of a destroyer-type steering wheel that is in the 12 o'clock...

April fools.(Boating Basics)
April 1, 2006... As I begin my fourth decade of boating this season, I recall situations that have taught me to be a better boater. These images come to mind each year about this time... when it's been a few months since I last launched the family boat, and I...

Monster Suzy.(Propulsion Report)
April 1, 2006... The horsepower race is alive and well in the outboard industry. Yamaha has stated that it is working on larger four-stroke engines (to surpass its current F250 model), but this year's major horsepower advance comes from Suzuki. Having landed on...

Trend setter: built to stand out, VIP's 203 outboard runabout is a good choice in family sportboats.(TEST)
April 1, 2006... In 1914, Aston Martin founders Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford built their automotive works of art with the firm business belief that sports cars should have a "distinctive and individual character, be built to the highest standards, and be...

Top buys in electronics: we scout the best values in top-performing sounders and GPS/combo units.(Buyer's Guide)(Buyers guide)
April 1, 2006... Pardon me, but you'd have to be missing a blade on your mental propeller to drive a boat like it was a car on pavement. Most painful (and potentially expensive) boating bumps lurk just below the surface where you can't see them. It's for...

Hard line: Monterey pumps up its hard-body look with its exciting, new 234 FSX.(TEST)(Cover story)
April 1, 2006... From curves to straight lines and from rounded shapes to hard angles--this is the aesthetic transformation that Monterey bowriders continue to make. The "hard-edge" look ramps up in 2006 with the addition of the 234 FS to Monterey's Facet...

American beauty: offering size and solitude, Flathead Lake presents a true Western boating adventure--Montana style.
April 1, 2006... After a 500-mile drive from Seattle to Montana's Flathead Lake, I find myself a little surprised. The long haul has given me plenty of time to mull over my expectations: I had envisioned scores of ski boats towing sunburned kids on giant tubes;...

Small surprises: tooling through choppy conditions in Scout's redesigned 17 1/2-footer reminds us that good things come in small packages.(TEST)
April 1, 2006... Spry and easy to handle, the Sportfish 175 has been a popular model in Scout's line for several years. For 2006, this hull receives a makeover that only promises to increase its utility for fishing and general water play. The primary change is...

Road ready: the highway is no place to learn your trailer needs service, so give it a checkup to make sure it's ready to roll when you are.(SPECIAL SECTION: TRAILER TUNE-UP GUIDE)
April 1, 2006... I watched with envy as my neighbor prepared his boat for his annual spring trip south. He spent an entire weekend working on the trailered craft, cleaning out the boat, changing the lower unit lube, testing and replacing burnt-out navigation...

Troubleshooting trailer lights: trailer wiring woes can be fixed in a jiff using these simple techniques.(SPECIAL SECTION: TRAILER TUNE-UP GUIDE)
April 1, 2006... Trailer lights live a hard life. Between the constant vibration of road travel and regular immersion in an environment that is alien to light bulbs and wiring, it's no wonder that trailer light problems are as common as they are frustrating....

Tough brakes: reliable trailer braking requires regular brake inspection and maintenance.(SPECIAL SECTION: TRAILER TUNE-UP GUIDE)
April 1, 2006... If there's one thing brakes hate, it's water. Trouble is, there's no way for a boat trailer to avoid it. And the problems associated with constant dunking are exacerbated if the trailer is used in salt water. But water torture is not the only...

Spinning wheels: repacking trailer wheel bearings will help keep your rig rolling along smoothly.(SPECIAL SECTION: TRAILER TUNE-UP GUIDE)
April 1, 2006... Other than an occasional squirt with a lube gun, most boaters simply don't pay much attention to trailer wheel bearings. That's a mistake. While servicing wheel bearings is not difficult, and bearings themselves are not terribly expensive to...

Rust never sleeps: don't let rust and corrosion ruin your trailer. Fight back.(SPECIAL SECTION: TRAILER TUNE-UP GUIDE)
April 1, 2006... Much like the human body, which relies on a thin layer of skin to protect it, a steel boat trailer becomes vulnerable to corrosion whenever its paint gets chipped, scratched or cracked. Once that happens, oxidation begins, slowly at first. And...

Firm foundation: keeping bunks and rollers in top shape will protect your hull and make launching easier.(SPECIAL SECTION: TRAILER TUNE-UP GUIDE)
April 1, 2006... One of the easiest parts of your trailer to maintain is an area that, ironically, is often subject to the most abuse. Neglecting bunks and rollers is dangerous business, however, because keeping them in top shape is vital to properly supporting...

Trailering checklist.(SPECIAL SECTION: TRAILER TUNE-UP GUIDE)
April 1, 2006... BEFORE TRAILERING * Check tires for cold air pressure and general condition, lug nuts for tightness, and wheel bearings or bearing protectors to make sure they're adequately filled with marine grease. (Do not overfill.) [ILLUSTRATION...

King Kong: Dodge's new Mega Cab is large and in charge.(TEST)
April 1, 2006... Any way you cut it, Dodge's new Ram Mega Cab 2500 is one big truck. According to Dodge, in fact, it has the largest and longest cab of any light-duty pickup, providing the most interior room and comfort in its class. A quick run through the...

Boating attitudes: boaters' minds are awash with all manner of trivial pursuits, according to a recent survey.
April 1, 2006... What do boaters think about? Plenty, according to an online survey conducted by Progressive Insurance (800/PROGRESSIVE; progressivdirect.com), a leading U.S. boat insurer. The company queried boatowners on topics ranging from naming boats and...

Quick-change artist: installing a quick-release bracket makes it a snap to mount or remove an electric trolling motor.(TBM How-To)
April 1, 2006... Before most boaters finish mounting their trolling motors, they have probably already decided that if the units ever need to be removed, someone else will have to do it. Unlike the smaller, less-powerful 12-volt trollers that were once de...

Battery confusion.(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... What is the difference between a "marine" battery and an automotive battery? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] Jay Simmons via e-mail Over the years, the term "marine" battery has been thrown around...

Overdrive for boats.(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... I have a 19-foot Chaparral bowrider with a MerCruiser 4.3L EFI V-6. The boat runs a solid 48 mph at 4600 rpm with a 21-inch-pitch stainless prop. I don't feel comfortable with the engine turning that fast, and would like to install either a 23-...

What to take.(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... We purchased a used 25-foot Sea Ray cabin model with a MerCruiser 350 Mag sterndrive. We used it all last summer without a problem. This year we want to expand our horizons with a trip along the Intracoastal Waterway between New York and...

Sealed battery only.(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... I just purchased a used Carolina Skiff with a 90 hp Force outboard. The previous owner mentioned that I should never use a sealed battery with this engine. When I asked why, he couldn't answer other than saying he read it in the owner's manual...

Intermittent ignition.(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... I've got a 1995 Mercury 200 XRI EFI that starts fine most of the time, but when I shut it down--sometimes after just idling to the dock and sometimes after a run--it doesn't restart. It cranks, but won't fire. After hitting the key maybe 20 or...

Hobby horse.(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... I have a 16-foot 1991 Lund Renegade II that was originally powered by an Evinrude 60. I recently repowered with a much heavier Suzuki 90 four-stroke, and now the boat seems prone to "hobby horse"--or pitch--at part throttle. Incidentally, the...

Trolling motor upgrade.(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... I have a Fisher 17-foot fiberglass bass boat with a 12-volt, bowmount MotorGuide trolling motor. Is there a way to rewire the boat or change the existing wire so I can upgrade to a 24-volt electric motor? Gary Farigalli North...

Cold as ice.(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... I own a Tracker Grizzly jonboat with a Mercury 25 two-stroke that I use mainly for duck hunting. I am having a problem with the water exhaust. The piping is freezing up. The intake does not freeze because I leave the boat in the water. How can...

Not a Turnkey Yamaha.(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... I have a 2003 Yamaha 90 with Prime Start that is supposed to start immediately, but the longer the boat sits, the harder it is to crank. I've talked to several others with the same problem. There is nothing wrong with the cranking motor or...

How much power?(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... We are new to boating and are planning to buy our first boat this spring. Our primary choice is an 18-foot Bayliner runabout that is offered with either a 3.0L four-cylinder sterndrive or a 4.3L V-6. The V-6 adds to the price, but I feel the...

Optimum cruise speed.(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... I have a 1995 Mariner 40 two-stroke with the factory 1 1/4x14-inch prop on an AlumaCraft 16-foot Backtroller. It performs well, has decent acceleration and produces a reliable 32 to 33 mph at wide-open throttle. However, this oldtechnology...

Return the sender.(Tech Letters)
April 1, 2006... I have a 1995 Mariner 115 on which the trim and tilt functions work fine, but the trim gauge doesn't register. When the problem began, sometimes it would work, other times it would not. Finally it just stopped. Now, when you first turn the key,...

Highway grades?(Tow Car)
April 1, 2006... What exactly does it mean when I see a sign that states the "grade" in a percentage for a stretch of highway. Obviously an 8 percent grade is steeper than a 3 percent grade, but what does it all mean? [ILLUSTRATION OMITTED] ...

Classy hitch.(Tow Car)
April 1, 2006... I just purchased a 2006 Chevy Uplander with the factory towing package. The van is tow rated for 3500 pounds and is equipped with a Class II hitch. My previous vehicle was a 2001 Oldsmobile Silhouette with similar equipment, and I never had any...

New trailer tires.(Tow Car)
April 1, 2006... The original tires on my boat trailer are older than I want to admit. They have small cracks in the sidewalls, and the tread is nearly worn off. My point is that it's obviously time for a change. But I have heard that they must be "ST"...

Slipping tranny.(Tow Car)
April 1, 2006... My 2002 Ford Explorer has the 4.0L V-6 engine, five-speed automatic transmission and a 3.73 rear axle. I use it to tow my Four Winns Sundowner 195, so the Explorer should have more than enough guts to handle the load. But it seems like the...

Grease ball.(Tow Car)
April 1, 2006... My neighbor says that while I am doing a lube job on my trailer's axle bearings, I should grease the ball on my truck's trailer hitch. Why? And do you have a recommendation for the kind of grease I should use? Dennis Bargman Holyoke,...

U-Haul blues.(Tow Car)
April 1, 2006... I recently tried to rent a trailer from U-Haul to help move from Las Vegas to San Diego (better boating), but was told the company no longer rents trailers to Ford Explorer owners. Have you heard about this? Perry Monga San Diego,...

Double your pleasure.(Tow Car)
April 1, 2006... I have heard that it is illegal to tow two trailers at once in some states. I have a travel trailer and a boat, and would like to tow both in tandem. Do you know which states do and do not allow two-trailer towing? Roger Bentley ...

Bourdon's tow tip.(Tow Car)
April 1, 2006... When it comes to trailers, two safety chains are always better than one. The chains should be crossed in an X pattern underneath the coupler/ball connection and snugged up tight, but left just loose enough so the tow vehicle and trailer can...

New solution to a dirty, old problem.(TBM Tested)
April 1, 2006... I learned about Clean Water Solutions (888/902-4141; cleanwatersolutions.com) about the time some serious engine work resulted in oil and diesel being dribbled into my boat's bilge. The company's Oil Eradicator had just won the first-ever...

Tuned-up performance.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2006... If you're a Ford man or woman who's looking for more power from your truck, you'll be happy to learn that Superchips' (407/585-7000; superchips.com) Flashpaq (Part No. 1815, $550) hand-held tuner is now available for 2005 and 2006 Ford F-150s...

Photo finish.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2006... If you like to show off your boat--and who doesn't?--spring cleaning means more than just tidying up. When you want your prized possession looking its best, consider reaching for the aptly named Serious Shine ($15) from Yacht Brite...

Boost for short boaters.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2006... It is not uncommon for skippers to experience visibility problems while operating a boat. Obviously, this can result in conditions that are less than safe--not to mention uncomfortable. If you've ever suffered from sore calves as a result of...

Need a lift?(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2006... Livorsi (877/548-5900; livorsi.com) has come up with yet another way of making boaters' lives easier. Its new hatch actuator is said to quickly lift hatches up to 400 pounds. It's available in 12-, 18- and 24-inch throws ($309, $349 and $359),...

Flip and fish.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2006... Having trouble finding just the right lure can be an annoyance (especially if you know you didn't lose it; you just "misplaced" it) but, thankfully, Plano Tackle Systems (800/226-9868; planomolding.com) has made the finding process a little...

Keep fido afloat.(Gotta Have It)
April 1, 2006... If you have that special four-legged friend who enjoys boating just as much as you do, be sure to keep him safe aboard with his very own Paws Aboard (877/987-PAWS; pawsaboard.com) Life Jacket ($24). This flotation device is ideal for dogs that...